Call for Expressions of Interest: Archive Film Challenge in partnership with Open City Documentary Festival

About the Open Call

In partnership with Open City Documentary Festival, the London Community Video Archive invites emerging filmmakers across the UK to develop a new work in response to the archive’s rich heritage. This is a creative challenge rather than a competition, offering many of the participants the opportunity to showcase their work. We are looking for filmmakers to create original short films in response to materials from the London Community Video Archive, accessible via our website. Rather than re-using existing footage, we are inviting creative responses that explore similar subject matter and/or methods found within the collection. Key Details: We welcome a spectrum of approaches, from creative re-use to creative response to any video on the LCVA website. This might include actively incorporating archive material into new pieces, or using entirely original material that is inspired by the archive. Film duration: Minimum 1.5 minutes, maximum 15 minutes. Selected responses will be screened at Open City Documentary Festival 2026. Screening fees will be provided for those selected for the festival. A selection of entries not chosen for the festival will be hosted on the LCVA website. The challenge launches at Open City Documentary Festival on May 8th, 2025. There will be online drop-in sessions in June and July. A further workshop in September 2025 will be led by an experienced practitioner(s) that expands on the idea of creative response, with an opportunity for applicants to share works-in-progress. The videos in the archive address issues from a grassroots community perspective, including campaigning and organising techniques, housing and homelessness, political youth work, playspace, youth arts, health, sex, gender, race, class, and the environment. This is an opportunity to engage and interact with these voices and images which are ignored or under-represented in the mainstream media, and to respond in innovative ways.

What is Offered

Opportunity to showcase work, screening fees, hosting on LCVA website, practical workshops, online drop-in sessions, and further workshops with experienced practitioners.

Requirements

Open to emerging filmmakers across the UK. No prior filmmaking experience is necessary, though examples of creative work (in any format) and/or participatory work are requested. Film duration: Minimum 1.5 minutes, maximum 15 minutes. Proposals should be no longer than one page.

How to Apply

To be a part of this project, please fill out an expression of interest form telling us: What video are you responding to? What do you find interesting about the video (200 words)? How do you want to creatively respond to the video (200 words)? Who is your video for (audience)? Proposals should be no longer than one page. We are not looking for scripts, just an indication of how your voice, style, and vision can offer a fresh and original perspective on your chosen film and theme. Submit your proposal by October 1, 2025. However, we will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis. The final submission deadline for films is December 13th 2025.